Close combat was her greatest strength.
She struck the black-clad man's arm and swiftly pressed downward, forcing his hand aside. In the same moment, she flipped her body and reached for the dagger at his waist.
But the man was no weakling. He slammed his hand down on her back. She dodged by instinct, rolled to the side, and with a sudden yank, tore off the black cloak enveloping him.
"Huh?" The man was startled. He had not expected her to target his cloak. He hurriedly reached to grab it, but could not stop it from falling.
With the cloak gone, his face was revealed.
It was nothing like Yin's. Handsome, yes—comparable to Yin in appearance—but if someone were to claim they were blood relatives, she would not believe it for a second.
However, there was a large, round burn mark on the side of his otherwise perfect face.
Imperfect, yes, but the scar added a strange, ruined beauty that made his exposed face far more captivating than when it was hidden beneath the cloak.
"You ripped my clothes off. What are you, a pervert?" the man complained, lips pursed in exasperation.
His injured face now fully exposed, he showed no anger—just disbelief.
They were fighting, not stripping each other.
Mu Qingyun was unfazed by his words. She dropped the cloak, flipped herself back into position, and made another attempt to snatch the dagger at his waist.
"Dracula? Ancest? Shu!"
A thunderous voice shouted from the doorway. Both of them instinctively turned their heads to look.
Yin stood at the door, his eyes blazing with murderous rage.
"Do you have a death wish?" His voice was calm, but the killing intent in his gaze made the threat all too real.
"Brother! I—I just came to check on her. I did not expect her to—she stripped me! She molested me!" Shu immediately played the victim. Knowing his brother's weakness for him, he put on a pitiful expression and even covered the black burn on his face.
Yin looked at him and gave a cold laugh, more furious than before. "What is this? After pretending to be human for so long, have you forgotten what it means to be a vampire?"
Dracula Ancest Shu: …
He really had forgotten.
"Brother, she was clearly trying to kill me. What was I supposed to do…"
"Silence!" Yin cut him off with a cold glare, his brow furrowing. "Get out."
"Brother, if you are just going to yell at me, then I am not going. This is between me and her. Do not get involved." Shu lifted his chin defiantly, but his eyes flickered with nervous glances at Yin.
Yin's eyes grew colder. "This is your last warning. Come. Out."
"…Alright." Shu cast a final glance at Mu Qingyun and begrudgingly followed Yin out of the room.
As soon as the door closed, Yin raised his hand, prepared to strike.
Shu flinched, instinctively backing up and covering his head, eyes shut tightly.
Yin sighed, stepped forward, and placed a hand on his arm.
"I was wrong! Do not hit me!" Shu looked up pitifully. He knew his brother would never truly hurt him, but acting a little pathetic might stir some sympathy—and maybe Yin would let the whole thing slide.
"I have not seen you for a while. I need to ask you something. Come with me."
"…Alright."
Once they had left, Mu Qingyun remained in the room, deep in thought. After a moment, she made a decision and went to find Yi Beixuan.
If her guess was right, Shu was the true killer of the old man.
She changed into a simple hoodie and left the room—only to realize, once outside, that she had no idea where Su Qiluo or Yi Beixuan were staying.
"Hey, you there! Do not wander around!"
A vampire shouted from behind. She stopped and turned to him. "What is it?"
"I heard that Prince Lester planted spies around both Prince Brauer and Prince Ancest. That recent fire was probably his doing—he tried to kill the other two princes."
The vampire looked around warily and whispered, "Everyone is on edge now. They fear being labeled a spy. You should be more careful. Do not run around in broad daylight."
"Understood. Thank you." She nodded politely. "Do you know where Duke Xino is staying?"
"You are looking for Duke Xino? Are you not Prince Ancest's slave?" The vampire looked her up and down with visible confusion.
Before she could reply, the vampire suddenly exclaimed in realization. "Oh, I remember now! You are the one Duke Xino invited to dance the first waltz—and Prince Ancest warned him about it. They almost fought over you!"
"So you are that femme fatale! I have finally seen you in person." He eyed her again. "You are pretty, sure, but not pretty enough for them to fight over."
Mu Qingyun: …
What nonsense were they spreading?
Still, the rumor seemed useful. The vampire promptly and respectfully pointed her toward Xino's room. "Take the elevator to the eighth floor. His room is the third on the right."
"Thank you." She nodded and headed toward the elevator.
She pressed the button for the eighth floor and ascended swiftly. Following the directions, she approached the third door on the right.
Just as her hand reached for the doorknob, a voice called from behind.
"Stop right there!"
Huh?
She turned—and saw Lester standing behind her.
Before she could speak, she felt the cold press of a dagger against her waist.
Startled, she froze and did not look back. Her gaze locked on Lester. "Prince Lester. What is the meaning of this?"
"Hmph. Drop the act. You were sent by Ancest, were you not?" Lester sneered. "Do not think I am stupid. I have always had a good relationship with Brauer. That document could only have come from Ancest's schemes!"
Ah. She understood now—he believed she stole the file from Xino.
In that case…
She smiled coldly, met Lester's eyes, and with a swift move, grabbed the wrist of the man behind her and twisted, breaking his arm.
"Ah—!"
The scream was cut short before it could escape fully.
With her right hand, she summoned a surge of flame. Small fireballs scattered and destroyed nearby surveillance cameras. Her left hand pressed against her right, amplifying her fire ability with her plant ability.
"You… it is you?" Lester's eyes widened as he saw the fire in her hand.
Now it made sense. Now he understood why Ancest—who loathed humans—would choose to turn one into a vampire.
It was because this human possessed the True Samadhi Fire.